Pinocchio runs away from home, leaving a note of apology for being such a disappointment, and stating his intention to sing and dance in Stromboli's show. Upon finding the note, Geppetto convinces himself that Pinocchio will be happier with Stromboli. He is lonely, however, and decides that he will visit Pinocchio, just to make sure the boy is indeed happy with Stromboli. Pinocchio performs with Stromboli's marionettes. The performance is a success, but Stromboli is abusive toward Pinocchio. Geppetto arrives, looking for Pinocchio, but Stromboli denies that the boy is with him. Soon afterward, Pinocchio escapes. When Stromboli discovers this, he rages among his marionettes and vows to recover Pinocchio. Geppetto searches far and wide for Pinocchio. He encounters the Blue Fairy, who observes that Geppetto does seem to care for Pinocchio after all. Geppetto denies this, and the Fairy finally agrees to take Pinocchio back if Geppetto can find him. Geppetto demands that the Fairy use her magic to find Pinocchio, but she demurs, explaining that magic is not the answer to everything. Act Two Greeting the audience as they return from intermission, the Blue Fairy expresses aloud her growing regret at having granted a wish to "a moron." Geppetto overhears this and the two squabble until they are interrupted by a pair of well-behaved children, with whom Geppetto is immediately impressed. The children introduce Geppetto and the Fairy to Maria and Bernardo, a couple who are waiting to see Professor Buonragazzo. It is soon revealed that the Professor custom-builds "perfect children" to the specifications of their parents. As Geppetto watches, the Professor's machine creates "Talia", a customdesigned child for Maria and Bernardo. The Professor creates a series of possible Pinocchio replacements, but Geppetto is horrified, rejecting them and running away. Geppetto and the Blue Fairy next encounter a talking pig. The pig claims that it is a dog, and frequently barks. A talking lamb that believes itself to be a duck soon arrives, followed by a succession of other animals, all of whom believe themselves to be something they are not, due to the misguided expectations of their parents. Geppetto reflects that parents should allow their children to grow up to be themselves. The Blue Fairy interjects to inform us, secretly, that she is responsible for the talking animals. A horse directs Geppetto to follow Pinocchio to Pleasure Island. After Geppetto departs, Stromboli arrives and encounters the Blue Fairy. He wishes he had Pinocchio back. The Blue Fairy reflects that at least Stromboli wants Pinocchio, unlike Geppetto. She tells Stromboli to go home, and that she will bring Pinocchio to him. Stromboli is surprised and elated. A Ringleader and his Roustabouts introduce us to Pleasure Island . It is a children's paradise - part circus, part carnival, a place where delinquents run wild. Geppetto arrives and is immediately accosted and menaced by said delinquents. Pinocchio emerges from the crowd and accuses Geppetto of not wanting him. He states that Pleasure Island is his new home. At that moment, Pinocchio and the other delinquents turn into donkeys. The Ringleader orders them hauled away. Geppetto, in a rowing boat, pursues a ship containing the transformed Pinocchio and the other donkeys leaving Pleasure Island. A whale swallows Geppetto and his rowing boat whole. Geppetto and Pinocchio find each other inside the whale (Pinocchio is now restored to his normal self). Geppetto promises Pinocchio that their relationship will be different from now on. They escape when they devise a plan for Pinocchio to lie continually until his nose is long enough to tickle the whale's throat, and it sneezes them out. Geppetto and Pinocchio return to the toyshop, only to find Stromboli and the Blue Fairy waiting for them. Geppetto offers Stromboli anything in exchange for letting him keep Pinocchio. Stromboli refuses to cooperate, but the Fairy intercedes, transforming Pinocchio into a real boy (and therefore rendering him
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